Together again, couple wed for 80 years
ONE of Britain’s longest-married couples have been reunited just in time to celebrate their 80th wedding anniversary after health problems forced them apart for the first time since the Second World War.
Devoted husband Ken Harris, 102, feared he would never see his wife Margaret again when he was admitted to hospital after breaking his hip.
The couple married in 1937 and Ken has carried a photograph of their wedding day in his wallet ever since.
They spent their lives side-by-side until Ken was deployed to Burma during the war.
He was demobbed in 1946 when their children Alan and Ann were four and six. They settled in Llanhilleth, South Wales, where Ken worked as a butcher.
After many happy years together raising their family, Margaret, 99, was diagnosed with dementia and had to be moved into a care home.
Ken was then struck by more heartache when he broke his hip in a fall just six weeks before their 80th anniversary. He was admitted to hospital and believed it would be the last time he would see his wife.
But after spending a month in hospital Ken was given the all-clear to leave and was found a room in the same care home as Margaret.
The couple were back together in the Oaklands nursing home in Llangynidr for their 80th anniversary earlier this month. Daughter-in-law Pat said: “They hold hands every day because of the memory of being separated in the war.
“When Ken went into hospital he didn’t think he would ever see her again. It is so fortunate that a room became available at Margaret’s home.
“It has been a real battle trying to keep them together. Ken fought for his country and he deserves to be able to be with his wife.
“They are a very loving couple and we are so proud to have celebrated their 80th anniversary with them.”